'Congress wounded Constitution's soul, amended it 75 times for power': PM Modi's blistering attack in Lok Sabha debate

"I expected a good debate on the Constitution, but some decided to grieve their losses," the Prime Minister remarked, targeting the Opposition.

Reflecting on the Constitution’s journey, PM Modi said, "We are completing 75 years of the Constitution. If we look back, when India's Constitution completed 25 years, it was snatched using Emergency and India was turned into a prison and the rights of citizens were snatched. The Congress can't wipe off this sin. Whenever a discussion on the Constitution takes place, we will always talk about the Emergency."

Criticising the Congress for its actions, he said, "Instead of embracing the Constitution, they sowed seeds of discord and negativity." He accused the Congress, particularly one family, of undermining the Constitution, saying they "relentlessly pursued wrong thoughts, wrong deeds and wrong policies" and challenged constitutional principles at every opportunity.

PM Modi alleged that Jawaharlal Nehru misused the Constitution and claimed his daughter, Indira Gandhi, did not respect it.

"Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru wrote to ministers, suggesting if the Constitution poses a hurdle, changes should be made to it at any cost. Back then, the Speaker and many others had told Nehru that he was wrong, but he did not pay heed to any of them," he said, prompting strong protests from Congress MPs.

He accused Nehru, Indira Gandhi, and their successors of trampling over the Constitution, citing the Emergency and the Shah Bano case as examples.

"Congress had tasted blood for power that it repeatedly preyed on the Constitution over time, leaving its soul wounded. Over six decades, the Constitution was amended 75 times. Having tasted blood, former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi imposed Emergency by misusing the Constitution," he said.

PM Modi further accused the current generation of the Gandhi family of continuing this legacy, which sparked loud protests in the Lok Sabha.

He also criticised the Congress for not following its own internal rules, claiming Nehru became leader despite state units supporting Sardar Patel.

Referring to the Emergency, he said, "The Constitution was torn apart when it was completing 25 years. The Emergency was imposed (in 1975), all constitutional rights were snatched and the country was turned into a jail. All the rights of the citizens were snatched and there was a clampdown on the media. Congress will never be able to clear this stain."

He added that Indira Gandhi imposed Emergency after her election was declared null and void, using it "just to save her chair."

Highlighting the injustices of the era, PM Modi said, "It was a time of injustice. Hundreds of people were thrown into jails. The insensitive government did not listen to people."

He also criticised Rajiv Gandhi for overturning the Supreme Court's Shah Bano verdict to secure vote banks. "Instead of helping a woman who was fighting for justice, he supported bad people. Nehru ji started it, Indira ji took it forward, then Rajiv Gandhi also got a taste. The next generation will be the same," he remarked.

PM Modi targeted the National Advisory Council (NAC) of the UPA government, accusing it of undermining the elected government with unelected members influencing decisions.

He also criticised Congress's "Garibi Hatao" slogan, calling it the biggest ‘jumla’ propagated by one family over generations. He contrasted it with his government’s focus on empowering the poor, citing initiatives like building toilets under the Swachh Bharat Mission.